Prosecutors say he ordered two murders to be carried out, including one in Frederick.
Baltimore, Md (KM) An MS 13 gang member pleaded guilty on Monday in US District Court in Baltimore to conspiracy to commit racketeering, which included two murders, one occurred in Frederick. Jorge Guerra-Castillo,40, whose also known as “Pelon,” of Silver Spring is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15th, 2021. .
The US Attorney’s Office for Maryland says Guerra-Castillo ordered the murder of a suspected rival gang member. MS 13 members sought and received approval from Guerra-Castillo to kill this individual. On April, 7th, 2015, that person, identified as Victim 1, was lured into a wooded area in Frederick, where he was struck repeatedly with a machete and a knife until he was dead. The gang members buried the victim’s body in a wooded area. It was ultimately located.
Guerra-Castillo also ordered a second murder which took place in Crownsville in June 24th, 2017. .
In his plea agreement, Guerra-Castillo also admitted to ordering the murder in May, 2015, of another person named Victim 2 who had stopped making extortion payments to the gang. He was released by MS-13 leadership after he agreed to resume paying the extortion money.
In another incident, Guerra-Castillo admitted to planning the murder of another rival gang member named Victim 3. On the morning, of August 28th, Victim 3, and his girlfriend, Victim 4, were both beaten with machetes and knives. The two survived, but Victim three had severe wounds to his face, and both hands were nearly severed. As a result, he has lost all function of one of his hands, and has limited function in the other hand..
Federal officials say MS-13 is a national and international gang whose membership consists of immigrants from El Salvador or other central American countries, and their descendants. Branches or “cliques” operate in Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties.
The FBI encourages anyone with information on MS-13 to call the Bureau’s nationwide hotline at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713). Callers can pass on information about MS-13 gang activities to a central location, and The FBI will pass this along to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. A caller identity will be protected.
During sentencing in October, federal prosecutors say they will be seeking between 32 and 40 years incarceration for Guerra-Castillo.
“The reign of terror, acts of violence, and horrific murders that Guerra-Castillo and his fellow MS-13 gang members committed will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” says Acting US Attorney for Maryland, Jonathan F. Lenzner, in a statement. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and our partners are committed to breaking the strong hold of gangs like MS-13 with swift and stringent prosecution. We will utilize every legal resources to ensure that citizens can live peacefully and fearlessly within their communities.”
By Kevin McManus